Too Many Groomsmen?

theadesiree

My Fi and I are polar opposites socially. He has a TON of best friends while I have about three. All of these guys he's known since elementary school and I don't want to say no to him, but how many groomsmen is too many?

Viczaesar

Eleventy bajillion.

mlg78

It doesn't matter how many people have.  My only caution to you is that each groomsman will need to be given a gift...and those little things can add up a budget.  But if the relationship is that important, go for it.

JaxInBlue

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_too-many-groomsmen-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:8ccace47-60ff-4108-bc47-4be5fa0077dePost:7251b698-5f90-4ca9-a6a1-b3545a9cd136">Re: Too Many Groomsmen?</a>:
[QUOTE]It doesn't matter how many people have.  My only caution to you is that each groomsman will need to be given a gift...and those little things can add up a budget.  But if the relationship is that important, go for it.
Posted by mlg78[/QUOTE]

Agree. Your budget to properly host and thank your bridal party should be the only restriction you put in place.  A bigger bridal party can mean more expense for "stuff"  - more boutonnieres, more gifts, maybe a larger transportation cost if you start trying to coordinate limos or whatever for everyone.  It could also mean a more expensive rehearsal dinner (though not always) since bridal party members and their SOs are invited to that.

You two may want to have a conversation about how much you want to spend in these areas, and what that means for the size of your party.  You could talk with your FI about who he might ask by asking him who  he'd call in a pinch or which of the people he is considering he sees most regularly.  If he would like a large party on his side, you might also want to ask him what trade offs he is comfortable with - such as forgoing coordinated travel or having a pizza and beer rehearsal dinner to cut costs.

daveANDkristen

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_too-many-groomsmen-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:8ccace47-60ff-4108-bc47-4be5fa0077dePost:e8a0ef3f-84e6-41c5-a36e-d2241f16377f">Too Many Groomsmen?</a>:
[QUOTE]My Fi and I are polar opposites socially. He has a TON of best friends while I have about three. All of these guys he's known since elementary school and<strong> I don't want to say no to him</strong>, but how many groomsmen is too many?
Posted by theadesiree[/QUOTE]

PPs are wise.  And to the bolded, this really rubbed me the wrong way.  You do not tell your FI who or how many GMs he is allowed to have.  Let him know the additional costs to consider (gifts, RD, transportation, etc) and let him decide who he'd like to ask.

AddieCake

How many are we talking about here? There's no limit, but if he has like 15 people standing there with him, I think that would be odd. 

KatWAG

If it makes you feel better, my H had 12 on his side. He wanted to include his brothers and he is still very close with the guys he grew up with. He sees these 12 guys all the time. So it was never a question that they would stand up.

I, on the other hand, am more like you. I am an only child and have a very small group of friends. I had 6 ladies including SIL. 

My sides were completely lopsided. But my pictures still look great. Pick your best friends and move on. This really should be one of your easiest decisions.  

princess pop

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_too-many-groomsmen-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:8ccace47-60ff-4108-bc47-4be5fa0077dePost:9e16bd4c-2197-4259-9f8c-4d8c7fd68f9d">Re: Too Many Groomsmen?</a>:
[QUOTE]How many are we talking about here? There's no limit, but if he has like 15 people standing there with him, I think that would be odd. 
Posted by AddieL73[/QUOTE]

this.